I'm carefully shopping for my next cap & ball. (Yes, I've got the fever.)
I'm bewildered by the variety of brands. Besides the differences in old and new Uberti and Pietta, and discontinued makers, they seem to be offered under different importer and store brands. I've come across Hawes, Heritage, Euroarms, Cabela, etc.
Case in point, I'm dealing long-distance on a second-hand 1860 Colt Army. About all I can tell from the photo is that it's got a case-hardened steel frame and is in excellent shape and hasn't been antiqued. The seller says it has NO markings on it except "Made in Italy." I told him there has to be some sort of symbol/mark indicating manufacturer. He asks me where to look.
So where do you find the definitive indication of manufacturer? Specifically, if it's a Uberti or Pietta, how would it be marked?
The info I've gleaned, so far, is roughly this: Octagon barrel mark with a U in it for Uberti, dgg for Armi San Paolo/Euroarms., a stylized cylinder face for Pietta or an FAP inside a diamond.
You guys have been great for guidance, thanks in advance.
I'm bewildered by the variety of brands. Besides the differences in old and new Uberti and Pietta, and discontinued makers, they seem to be offered under different importer and store brands. I've come across Hawes, Heritage, Euroarms, Cabela, etc.
Case in point, I'm dealing long-distance on a second-hand 1860 Colt Army. About all I can tell from the photo is that it's got a case-hardened steel frame and is in excellent shape and hasn't been antiqued. The seller says it has NO markings on it except "Made in Italy." I told him there has to be some sort of symbol/mark indicating manufacturer. He asks me where to look.
So where do you find the definitive indication of manufacturer? Specifically, if it's a Uberti or Pietta, how would it be marked?
The info I've gleaned, so far, is roughly this: Octagon barrel mark with a U in it for Uberti, dgg for Armi San Paolo/Euroarms., a stylized cylinder face for Pietta or an FAP inside a diamond.
You guys have been great for guidance, thanks in advance.